IYA2009 Updates
Universe Awareness at the International SKA Forum 2010
18 June 2010
Universe Awareness at the International SKA Forum 2010 from Universe Awareness on Vimeo.
Our Space website and competition for schools
17 June 2010
Richard Garriott, computer games pioneer and astronaut, has made available a fantastic video library of science experiments he performed on his visit to the International Space Centre in 2008.
For schools in the UK, Richard has also set up a special challenge: can your students turn all of this fantastic space stuff into an amazing 'space story' to win some out-of-this-world prizes?
As well as an expenses-paid trip to the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida and Johnson Space Centre in Texas, the galaxy of cool prizes includes visits to the House of Commons, special entry tickets to Farnborough Futures Day, tickets to the National Space Centre, World Space Week invitations to Intech, an iPod Touch, and signed goodies from Richard Garriott and Lucy Hawking, daughter of physicist Professor Stephen Hawking.
To see the amazing videos, find out more about the competition and get tips on how to create a digital space adventure check out the Our Space website.
In the dark: Sky observations cast light on pollution
17 June 2010
Globe at Night, which promotes the value of dark skies, set a record in 2010 with more than 17,800 measurements of night sky light pollution from people in 86 countries.
Read more here: http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/052710_darkskies
Astronomy Career Guide
17 June 2010
A new Guide to Career Education which focuses on providing Astronomy students and professionals with the best astronomy career resources on the internet: http://www.guidetocareereducation.com/tips-and-tools/astronomy-careers
Astro Book Drive for Tanzania concluded successfully
17 June 2010
Astro Book Drive for Tanzania recently concluded successfully. The donations were raised by the members of Greater Portland Astronomical Society in Maine, USA and donated to UNAWE-Tanzania group. Please find the report here: http://astrodrive.lakdiva.net/projects/tanzania/bookdrive_report.html
More information about the Astro Book Drive: http://astrodrive.lakdiva.net/
Space Generation Congress
15 June 2010
Registrations are open for The Space Generation Congress 2010 (SGC2010) taking place in Prague, Czech Republic, September 23-25 2010. Students and young professionals in the space sector are invited to submit their applications by July 1, 2010.
The Space Generation Congress (SGC), organized by The Space Generation Advisory Council, is the global conference for university students and young professionals interested in today's key space issues. Being the only event of its kind, SGC offers the next generation of space leaders the opportunity to network and to examine together critical questions that are facing the space and international community at large.
This year’s Space Generation Congress takes place between September 23 and 25 at the Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, prior to the International Astronautical Congress. Delegates can register until July 1 on the official SGC website, detailing their experience in the space sector and stating the projects they wish to participate in.
Based on their individual interest and prior experience, conference delegates will be assigned to one of the five groups that will debate on various pertinent space topics and issues. This year’s five working sessions will focus on:
- Industry – The New, Increased Role of Industry in the Space Sector
- Agency – Terrestrial Applications for Space Technology: Exploring the Practical Challenges in International Collaboration on Space Systems
- Climate – Challenges of the Use of Earth Observation Data
- Exploration – Human Space Exploration: Technical, Societal, Legal and Political Challenges
- Outreach – Development of Science and Technology Education and Careers for the New Generation
Leaders from the space sector will be invited to share their passions and perspectives, as well as contribute to the working sessions and debate with delegates on the main topics of the Congress. Conclusions and recommendations from these sessions will be formally written in both a presentation and a report, which will be shared throughout the following year at the United Nations, at conferences, and with SGAC’s partners and supporters.
For more information and updates, please visit The Space Generation Congress 2010 website, follow us on Twitter @SGAC or #SGC2010, connect via The Space Generation Advisory Council Official Facebook Group.
CONTACT SGAC
Oana Sandu, PR Lead – oana.sandu@spacegeneration.org, +40 724 024 625
setiQuest is looking for a community manager intern
15 June 2010
Where do you want to go this summer?
The Quest
setiQuest is an effort to tap into the global brain trust, harness the power of citizen scientists, and educate the next generation of Earthlings to improve current searches for extraterrestrial intelligence and better understand our place in the cosmos. We are creating a community—or if you prefer, a tribe—to actively involve the world in the ultimate search for cosmic company. setiQuest is the concretization of Jill Tarter’s 2009 TED wish to change the world. We are looking for a summer intern, Community Manager to help harness and harvest the power of this tribe.
Training
While at SETI you will have access to some of the most prolific scientists in astronomy and astrobiology who are focused on scientific research, education and public outreach. Their work, along with The Quest, has the possibility to change our understanding of life, the origin of life, or to discover if other planets in our universe can support life.
Talents
We are looking for an individual who is passionate about all forms of communication and exploration. You are someone who is comfortable with working with limited direction, but still very focused on meeting targets and deadlines. You are open to new ideas and like meeting new Earthlings, virtually or in-person. A good day is when you discover something new or when you are challenged to rethink everything you thought to be true.
Experience
You have a strong knowledge of the many social media platforms including Twitter and Facebook, as well as a good understanding of web analytics. You host your own blog and/or often contribute to other public online forums. You have some experience in defining and executing against an editorial calendar. A background in best practices in web design and/or web development would also be welcomed.
Responsibilities
Working with the community guidelines, you will grow the setiQuest community; increase community engagement, while also leveraging other social media platforms. Your daily communication with your tribe will be predominately on the setiQuest forums. Utilizing the brainpower of the SETI Institute’s team of scientists you will address any key questions and seed the forum with new discussions. You will also provide guidance and input into the setiQuest site as it relates to community.
If you are ready to join the Quest and guide this tribe, please send your resume and brief note describing your place in the cosmos to: jobs@setiquest.org
IYA2009 Updates
11 June 2010
Developing World’s Scientific Literacy May Lie in Its Stars
Jacob Zuma says the World Cup can score an economic goal for his country, but a collection of international astronomers meeting in his backyard have a starry-eyed yet down-to-earth suggestion for the developing world. Read more: http://www.miller-mccune.com/science/developing-worlds-scientific-literacy-may-lie-in-its-stars-17283/
Neil deGrasse Tyson praises amateur astronomers
Neil deGrasse Tyson (Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History) praises amateur astronomers during his talk at the World Science Festival 2010 in New York, US. More information: http://www.astronomy2009.org/news/updates/942/
SARM (Romania) and Friends released the GAM official poetry programme
Available at http://www.cosmopoetry.ro/astropoetrytotheglobalastronomymonth/
The Brazilian president Lula receives a Galileoscope
The Brazilian president Lula da Silva has received a Galileoscope from the Brazilian Minister of Science and Technology, the physicist Sergio Rezende, during the opening session of the National Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation in the Brazilian capital, Brasilia last May. Currently twenty thousand Galileoscopes are being distributed in public schools in Brazil, an IYA2009 project of the Brazilian Astronomical Society (Sociedade Astronômica Brasileira) and Brazilian Astronomy Olympiad (Olimpíada Brasileira de Astronomia) and supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology. More information: http://www.astronomy2009.org/news/updates/939/
The Search for Life in the Universe in Science Fact and Science Fiction
August 13 - 15, 2010, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Santa Clara, California
More information: http://www.seticon.com
Scientix – the community for science education in Europe
Scientix was created to facilitate regular dissemination and sharing of know-how and best.
Search, find and engage on: http://www.scientix.eu
Developing World’s Scientific Literacy May Lie in Its Stars
10 June 2010
Jacob Zuma says the World Cup can score an economic goal for his country, but a collection of international astronomers meeting in his backyard have a starry-eyed yet down-to-earth suggestion for the developing world.
Neil deGrasse Tyson praises amateur astronomers
10 June 2010
Neil deGrasse Tyson (Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History) praises amateur astronomers during his talk at the World Science Festival 2010 in New York, US.
Very well said Neil!
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